Dhruv Jurel flaunts 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' tattoo after scoring century in Colombo Test

Dhruv Jurel brought up his second Test hundred on August 24, 2026, during Day 2, Session 3 of the 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. After reaching three figures, Jurel raised his bat and displayed a tattoo on his left forearm bearing the Devanagari text 'जय जवान जय किसान', which reads 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'. India's total at that moment stood at 482/8 in 135.4 overs.

Fans and the cricketing fraternity were quick to notice Jurel's tattoo and also shared pictures from the incident online to react with their views on the same. Mohammed Siraj was at the non-striker's end, unbeaten on 2 off 27 balls, playing out every delivery patiently to make sure his partner reaches the three-figure landmark.

What is the meaning Jai Jawan Jai Kisan?

The phrase 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' is the well-known slogan coined by former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, honouring soldiers and farmers. The personal significance of the tattoo to Jurel has not been confirmed in any verified statement by the cricketer himself. With India's first innings concluded, Sri Lanka will begin their reply in the next session.

Meanwhile, Asitha Fernando was the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka at that stage, with figures of 4/106. India had won the toss and elected to bat first, and the innings stretched deep into the second day. The match is an important part of the ICC World Test Championship's ongoing 2025-27 cycle.

India had closed Day 1 at 300/5, with Jurel and debutant Saransh Jain unbeaten at the crease. Jain, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the XI for his Test debut, was dismissed for 6 early on Day 2. Rishabh Pant, who had retired hurt on Day 1 after being struck on the forearm, returned to bat on Day 2 and contributed 63 as part of a 112-run seventh-wicket stand with Jurel.

By the tea interval on Day 2, India were 475/8, and Jurel was unbeaten on 95 before rain halted play. He resumed after the break and completed his hundred in Session 3. The broadcast graphic at the milestone showed his Test career record as 12 matches, 2 fifties, 2 hundreds and an average of 39.75.

Notably, Jurel's first Test hundred was 125 off 210 balls against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on October 3, 2025. In that innings he shared a 206-run fifth-wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who finished unbeaten on 104. KL Rahul also scored a century in the same match.

India entered this 2nd Test in Colombo already 1-0 up in the series, having won the opening Test.